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Friday, April 18, 2014

Angkor Wat, Cambodia 2012

After learning all there is to learn about tea at the Cameron Highlands, we jetted over to Siem Reap in Cambodia to check out Angkor Wat. Our awesome guide picked us up directly from the airport and took us to check out some "local" spots first. Given that it was rainy season, we had to make a big detour as our destination was completely flooded. Instead, we took a boat ride along the extremely flooded river and got a chance to check out how locals survive and manage living in such harsh conditions.

Locals just going abouts their day as per usual. The river flooding fluctuates year after year but in 2012, the flood was particularly bad and overflowing to local roads and cities.

Welcome to Angkor Wat

Flooded River in Siem Reap in September 2012

Got to catch a traditional Cambodian dance. Very beautiful.

One of the highlights of Angkor Wat - Ta Prohm

The amazing thing about Angkor Wat is the intricate detailed work and amazing infrastructure built so many years ago. This temple stretches across a massive area and is nearly impossible to truly appreciate with only 2 days.

The Big Three Temple @ Angkor Wat

The enormous tree is gradually destroying the entire infrastructure so there is constantly renovations going on to restore the area. It's pretty much a battle of nature & time.

Across the many years of its occupation, Angkor Wat has switched back and forth from being a Buddhist to Hindu and back to a Buddhist temple. During the Hindu occupation, all the Buddha statues in the temple were beheaded. A bit eery to walk through the temple covered with headless Buddhas.

It's a shame our trip was during the rainy season but it definitely gave a more dramatic effect to the pictures. The iconic snapshot of Angkor Wat is a fitting shot to bid adieu!